Man Up

March 9, 2020
David Lukas is a varsity baseball player at Lincoln High School, and between his construction worker father’s long-term unemployment, his college prospects, and the homophobic team bully outing him as gay, he’s got a lot going on. Though his best friend, Mike, doesn’t handle the outing well, David finds compassion and kindness directed his way from people he’d never considered friends before, and with support from his boyfriend, Tyler, he decides to take ownership of his own story and be proud of who he is and who he loves. Though not everyone is in David’s corner, even some adults who are otherwise uncomfortable discussing sexuality stand against discrimination and hate. It’s not easy for him to ignore the whispers and rumor-mongering, especially in the locker room, but with his coach’s support, David is able to focus on the sport he loves. Interspersed with interstitials by Tyler, David’s narrations is down-to-earth and relatable, particularly for teens who live in places without large LGBTQ communities. Students preparing for the leap from high school to college in particular will find plenty to identify with. Ages 14–17. Agent: Tina Schwartz, the Purcell Agency.

March 15, 2020
High school athletes reckon with being gay. In her debut novel, Oclon explores the charged playing fields of homophobia and high school sports. The tale unfolds through first-person narratives alternating between Lincoln High School students and boyfriends David and Tyler, who are equally committed to one another but at differing degrees of comfort with their sexual orientation. The novel opens with David's responding to his father's asking how he'd like his burger grilled by saying that he is gay--setting the stage for the focus on the unscripted awkwardness and challenges of coming out. A varsity baseball player, working-class David has been secretly dating blond track team member and AP student Tyler, who's openly gay and gladly participates in the school's LGBTQIAP support group. Much of the novel centers on David's gradual acceptance of others' learning he's gay as he faces repeated harassment, pressure to remain in the closet from his coach, and physical assault from a homophobic teammate while also dealing with his straight best friend's feeling betrayed when he learns about David's orientation from another teammate. Oclon thoughtfully develops David's and Tyler's inner transformations when it comes to self-acceptance, noting how others in their community need to grow with them. Whiteness is situated as the default for all major characters. An engaging and enlightening coming-out tale for teens of all sexual persuasions. (Fiction. 12-18)

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March 20, 2020

Gr 9 Up-David seems to have an idyllic life. He's a talented baseball player, he's up for athletic scholarships at several colleges, and he's dating: Senior year is starting off just the way he wanted it to. David is gay, and keeping it quiet for the rest of the school year-his family is accepting, boyfriend Tyler is almost perfect, but others in his world may make school and sports difficult if David comes out. One of those people is Kevin, star of the baseball team with a father on the school board and plenty of clout when it comes to decisions regarding baseball. When Kevin inevitably sees David kissing his boyfriend, an insidious campaign starts to get David kicked off the baseball team, which will ruin his future as well as his present. Oclon's characters are likable and well developed, with endearing flaws for the heroes, and villains whom readers will love to hate. Fast-paced action sequences stand out in a story that mostly focuses on the main characters' internal lives. A somewhat rushed ending feels like a lackluster fade-out rather than a solid close. VERDICT Despite a weak ending, this quick read is excellent for reluctant readers. Purchase where sports books-especially those with a twist-are in high demand.-Heather Waddell, Sargent Memorial Library, Boxborough, MA

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